Boat hull construction

ABSTRACT

A boat hull of the double end displacement type having a pair of pivotal planes mounted on the lower portion of the after end of the hull such that when the planes are pivoted to a substantially horizontal position the hull rides up out of the water thereby increasing the speed of the boat. A pair of water deflectors are disposed on the hull forward of the pivotal planes to prevent bow waves generated during movement of the hull from passing over the planes.

United States Patent 1 1 Harris 14 1 Jan. 2, 1973 54 BOAT HULL CONSTRUCTION 2,718,368 9 1955 Doolittle ..1 14/665 P Inventor: Henry B. Harris Box San Bub 2,099,492 11/1937 Luders ..l 14/66.5 P Cahf' Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler [22] Filed: Sept. 17, 1970 Assistant Examiner-Barry L. Kelmachter 1 pp NO: 73,002 Attorney-Graybeal, Cole and Barnard [57] ABSTRACT (g1. ..1l4/66.5 A boa hull of the double end displacement type ha c u 1 e e e n a [58] Fleid of Search "114/665 P, 66.5 R, 126 tion of the after end of the hull such that when planes are pivoted to a substantially horizontal posi- [56] Reierences C'tcd tion the hull rides up out of the water thereby increasing the speed of the boat. A pair of water deflectors UNITED STATES PATENTS are disposed on the hull forward of the pivotal planes 3,190,587 6/1965 Fries ..1 14/665 R to prevent bow waves generated during movement of 3,308,780 3/l967 Abramson ..1 14/665 F the hull from passing over the planes. 2,448,075 8/1948 -Bortner ..1 14/126 X 998,437 7/191 1 Wieland ..1 14/665 P 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures NORMAL l2 WATER LIN\E 18 HIGH SPEED WATER LINE PATENTED 21975 3.707.936

sum 1 [IF 2 NORMAL WATER LIN\E I l FIG =2 [8 HIGH SPEED WATER LINE HENRY B. HARRIS F C: 3 INVENTOR.

R BY W QQMM ATTORNEYS PATENTED 3,707,936

SHEET 2 OF 2 FJIG==-4 FIG===5 HENRY B. HARRIS INVENTOR.

BY WMW ATTORNEYS BOAT I-IULL CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates, in general, to the hull construction of a ship or boat, and in particular, to a hull which combines the seaworthiness of a double end type hull with the speed qualities of a wide, flat stern hull. More particularly, apparatus is disclosed for modifying a deep draft hull to selectively increase its speed capability in response to changing weather conditions.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is well known that the-double ended heavy displacement type hull is one of the most seaworthy of hull designs. Hulls of this type have a minimum tendency to broach in heavy seas as a result of the manner in which the bow keys into approached waves while the stern remains relatively high. The principal drawback of this displacement type hull is that its deep draft generates large waves as the hull moves through the water, rather than planing over the surface, thereby requiring a great deal of power to move the hull through the water. Top speeds for this type hull are generally substantially less than those of hulls having a wide flat stern which allows the hull to rise up out of the water as the speed of the craft increases thereby reducing hull resistance.

Wieland, US. Pat. No. 998,437 discloses an early attempt to prevent the stern of a motorboat from sinking as the speed of the craft is increased by mounting hydroplanes on its side. The permanent hydroplane would make the Wieland boat very unstable in rough water.

Bortner, US. Pat. No. 2,448,075 discloses a retractable sponson for controlling spray generated on take-off by a flying boat. The Bortner apparatus differs both in design and function from the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a boat hull of a type substantially similar to a conventional double ended displacement hull having a narrow bow portion, a narrow stern portion and a substantially V-shaped bottom, but further includes a pair of retractable planes disposed on the lower after portion of each side of the hull immediately aft of a pair of water deflecting surfaces. The planes are adapted to pivot between a first position generally parallel to the hull and a second position substantially transverse the hull. Recesses are provided in the hull to hold the planes when they are in the up or hull-parallel position thereby reducing hull drag. When the planes are disposed generally parallel the hull, the hull exhibits the seaworthy qualities of a conventional double ended hull, while rotation of the planes to a substantially horizontal position allows the hull to move through the water at speeds characteristic of a wide flat stern hull. When the planes are in the down or horizontal position, the water deflectors immediately forward of the planes prevent bow waves from passing over the planes thereby eliminating any tendency of either of the planes to dig into the water and consequently cause the boat to unduly roll or founder.

It is an object of the present invention therefore to provide a hull for a water-borne vessel such as a boat which is exceptionally seaworthy in heavy seas.

Another object is to provide a boat hull capable of high speed.

Still another object is to provide a hull which may be modified in shape in response to weather and sea conditions.

One more object is to provide a hull having a pair of pivotal planes disposed near its stern and a pair of water deflectors disposed forward of said pivotal planes.

Another object is to provide a planing hull having increased head room below deck.

Still another object is to provide a deep sharp keel flared thwartships' tangent to the planing surface of the hull to allow for comfortable high speed travel in small waves.

Additional objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat hull typifying the present invention, the rotatable planes disposed in the horizontal position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the boat hull of FIG. 1, the rotatable planes being disposed in the up or hullparallel position.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the hull of the present invention, the rotatable planes being disposed in the down or horizontal position.

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line 44 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3, including the rotatable planes shown in the up position in broken line.

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring first to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, a boat hull 10 embodying the present invention is disclosed. Hull 10 includes a relatively narrow bow portion 12, and a relatively narrow stern portion 14, of a type generally associated with conventional double ended displacement hulls. Hull 10 additionally includes keel 16 from which propeller 18 extends, and rudder 20 disposed between the aftermost portion of keel 16 and the bottom portion 22 of the hull. Left side wall portion 24 and right side wall portion 26 are additionally provided. The above elements define a substantially conventional double ended type hull, although somewhat different in that bottom portion 22 is relatively flat amidships to improve the planing ability of the hull as will be discussed more completely hereafter. Hull 10 additionally includes planes 28 and 30 disposed on each side of the hull near its stem end, and a pair of water deflecting surfaces 32 and 34 formed in the hull immediately forward of the planes 28 and 30.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, it will be seen that planes 28 and 30 are adapted to pivot from a position generally parallel hull 10 (see broken lines in FIG. 5) to a position generally transverse the hull such that when a vessel embodying the hull of the instant invention is resting in the water, planes 28 and 30 are substantially horizontal. Knuckles 36 are linearly spaced along one edge of planes 28 and 30, and knuckles 38 are linearly spaced on the lower after portion of side walls 24 and 26 of the hull above keel l6. Knuckles 36 and 38 are adapted to interlock to define a pair of hinges 40 and 42 through which a pair of binge pins 44 and 46 are disposed.

In one form of the invention, knuckles 36 and 38 are welded to the associated planes or sides of the hull, while knuckles 36 are additionally welded to hinge pins 44 and 46 such that planes 28 and 30 rotate in response to the rotation of the hinge pins.

It will be readily understood that in other forms of the present invention, hinge pins 44 and 46 may include a series of integral spacers having enlarged diameters which are adapted to be welded or bolted to the associated planes, while knuckles 38 may be bolted to the hull in alternating relationwith the spacers. In

either embodiment, the planes 28 and 30 are fixedly connected to hinge pins 44 and 46 which are adapted to rotate within knuckles 38 mounted on the sides of the hull.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, hinge pins 44 and 46 extend through the hull at points 48 and 50 (FIG. 3). Conventional packing seals are provided at the point where the hinge pins penetrate the hull to prevent leakage. In smaller craft embodying the design of the instant hull, normally extending lever arms may be connected to hinge pins 44 and 46 such that manual rotation of the lever arms causes the planes 28 and 30 to pivot. In larger craft, it will be readily understood that a conventional gear train and electric or hydraulic motor may be used to rotate the hinge pins and attached planes.

Planes 28 and 30 are substantially triangular in shape, and it will be readily understood that the short forward edges 52 and 54 may be made substantially shorter in length, or completely diminished such that the two long edges of the plane converge to a point. Recesses 56 and 58 are provided on the lower after portion of each side of hull 10 to receive planes 28 and 30 when they are pivoted to a position generally parallel the hull. The positioning of the planes within these recesses tends to reduce the frictional drag of the craft through the water as well as preventing large amounts of water from moving between the planes and the hull, particularly in heavy weather.

Referring also to FIG. 4, it will be seen that water deflecting surfaces 32 and 24 define outwardly extending projections on the sides of the hull in the area above chine 58. As disclosed, deflectors 32 and 34 are molded into the hull and define a smooth curved surface which tapers outwardly and rearwardly from approximately points 60 and 62 to points immediately forward of the pivotal planes 28 and 30. As will be best seen in FIG. 3, deflectors 32 and 34 extend outwardly from the hull at least the same distance as planes 28 and 30 extend when rotated to the horizontal position. The deflectors thereby prevent bow waves generated during movement of the hull through the water from moving directly over the front edges 52 and 54 of the planes. It has been found that movement of water directly over these planes tends to affect the stability and steerability of the hull particularly when unequal volumes of water flow over each plane. The weight of the water if allowed to pass directly over only one plane would tend to force the plane downward causing the entire hull to roll to an excessive amount. In much the same way, undue rolling of the craft could be generated by winds moving waves against either the right or left side of the craft. The provision of deflecting surfaces 32 and 34 has been found to prevent large amounts of water from passing over the forward portions of planes 28 and 30 thereby limiting any instability likely to arise from water action on the planes.

From the above, it will be readily understood that deflecting surfaces 32 and 34 may be extended outwardly from the hull farther than the outer edge of the pivotal planes to shield the planes even more completely from the bow wave generated by the craft. As is best seen in FIG. 1, a niche 64 having a front wall generally perpendicular to the pivotal planes is defined on the side of the hull by deflector 32. It will be readily understood that the minimum size of this niche is dependent upon the length of forward edge 52 of panel 28, although as discussed above if deflector 32 extends outwardly a distance greater than the length of the forward edge of the panel the niche will be larger.-Although not illustrated, a similar niche is defined by deflector 34.

The deflector construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings which extends outwardly from the hull the same distance as the outer edge of the pivotal panels when disposed in the horizontal position should be considered to be of minimum size. Water deflected by surfaces 32 and 34 as the hull moves through the water tends to move back towards the sides of the hull and consequently over the after portions of planes 28 and 30 after the action of the deflectors on the water is exhausted. The point on the long edge of the planes at which the water begins to run thereover is dependent both upon the speed with which the hull is moved through the water and the lateral distance from the hull which the water is deflected by the deflectors. Thus it will be understood that increasing the outward extension of deflecting surfaces 32 and 34 tends to diminish the amount of water flow over the planes thereby increasing the stability of the craft. The degree of outward extension of these deflecting surfaces is limited by the diminishing effect the broadened .hull surface has on the speed of the craft.

It is contemplated that the hull of the instant invention will have its greatest use in conjunction with vessels varying between 14 and 60 feet in length, although with slight modifications considered to be within the spirit of this invention, it is contemplated that the invention could be used with much larger craft. During operation of a vessel embodying the disclosed invention in heavy weather or rough seas, planes 28 and 30 are retracted into recesses 56 and 58 and held therein. With the planes thus in the up position, the hull defines a very seaworthy shape similar to a conventional double ended type hull. Referring to FIG. 2, the normal water line of the hull with the planes in the up position is illustrated.

In all other weather conditions, it is contemplated that planes 28 and 30 will be pivoted to the down position such that they extend substantially transverse the hull as illustrated in FIG. 1. In this position, the hull exhibits the high speed qualities of a conventional wide, flat stern type hull. As is best seen in FIG. 3, the substantially triangular planes cooperate with the hull curvature to define a substantially rectangular stern configuration. The high speed water line of the vessel with the planesin the down position is illustrated in ,FIG. 2. As the speed of the vessel increases, the hull planes up out of the water on the planing surface defined by the relatively flat bottom 22 of the hull amidships and planes 28 and 30. The raising of the boat out of the water reduces hull resistance thereby allowing dramatic increases in the speed of the vessel.

From the above it will be seen that the instant invention provides a craft which may be alternately configured to be either seaworthy in rough weather or fast in more moderate weather conditions.

Other advantages of this invention are that planes 28 and 30 act as bilge keels for the vessel in that they prevent the development of snychronous roll, particularly at anchor. The planes may also provide a below water support for a boarding ladder or a below water resting place for swimmers.

The outwardly extending planes also are capable of absorbing shock through the hinge pins thereby reducing the reaction of the hull to choppy water. It is contemplated that the planes may be made of fiberglas wood or the same material as the hull on which they are to be mounted. The connecting hinges and hinge pins may be made of bronze alloy or other rust resistant metal.

Finally it is contemplated that planes 28 and 30 might be positioned horizontally within the hull to move in and out about a pivot mounted near the forward portion of the planes. This construction is considered to be within the spirit of the present invention although it is recognized that some loss of below deck space is involved.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

l. The hull of a waterborne vessel having a narrow bow portion and a normally narrow stern portion, including:

a pair of outwardly and rearwardly curving water deflecting surfaces integral with said hull on th lower forward portion thereof;

said integral water deflecting surfaces ending abruptly amidships such that the portion of the bottom of said hull adjacent said deflecting surfaces is relatively flat, while the portion of the bottom of said hull aft of said deflecting surfaces is normally V-shaped;

a plane hingedly mounted on each side of the lower portion of said hull immediately aft of said integral water deflecting surfaces; and

means within said hull interconnected with said hinged planes to pivot said planes between a first position generally parallel said hull and a second position generally transverse said hull such that said hull may be rapidly converted from said normal V-shape to a flat-bottomed planing configuration.

2. The hull of claim 1 wherein the hinged mounting for said planes includes a plurality of first knuckles spaced alon one edge of said planes, a pluralit of second knuc les cooperatmgly spaced along said ull and a hinge pin extending through said knuckles and fixedly connected to said planes.

3. The hull of claim 2 wherein said hinge pins are interconnected to said means within said hull for pivoting said planes between said first and second positions.

4. A double ended displacement hull for a waterborne vessel including:

a hull lifting plane hinged on the lower aft portion of each side of said hull;

water deflecting surfaces integral with said hull and including a planar rear portion extending laterally outward therefrom immediately forward of each of said hinged planes to deflect water from the forward edge of said hinged planes;

means within said hull interconnected with said hull lifting planes to pivot said hinged planes between a first position generally parallel said hull and a second hull lifting position generally transverse said hull.

5. The double ended displacement hull of claim 4 wherein said water deflecting surfaces act to flatten the bottom portion of said hull amidships to improve the planing characteristics thereof.

6. The double ended displacement hull of claim 4 including hinge pin means welded to each of said planes and interconnected with said means within said hull to pivot each of said planes.

7. The hull of a waterborne vessel having a narrow bow portion, a narrow stern portion, and a retractable plane mounted on the lower aft portion of each side of the hull rearward of a water deflecting surface, said retractable planes including:

a plurality of first knuckles spaced along one edge of said planes and mateable with a plurality of second knuckles spaced along said hull to define a pair of hinges, hinge pins interconnected with said first knuckles and interlocking said first and second knuckles, one end of each of said hinge pins extending through said hull and rotation means within said hull to partially rotate said hinge pins to pivot said planes.

8. The hull of claim 7 including recesses on said hull adjacent said planes to receive said planes upon retraction.

9. The hull of claim 7 wherein said water deflecting surfaces extend laterally outward beyond the edges of said retractable planes when said planes are pivoted to extend laterally from the lower aft portions of said hull.

* it s 1: 

1. The hull of a waterborne vessel having a narrow bow portion and a normally narrow stern portion, including: a pair of outwardly and rearwardly curving water deflecting surfaces integral with said hull on the lower forward portion thereof; said integral water deflecting surfaces ending abruptly amidships such that the portion of the bottom of said hull adjacent said deflecting surfaces is relatively flat, while the portion of the bottom of said hull aft of said deflecting surfaces is normally V-shaped; a plane hingedly mounted on each side of the lower portion of said hull immediately aft of said integral water deflecting surfaces; and means within said hull interconnected with said hinged planes to pivot said planes between a first position generally parallel said hull and a second position generally transverse said hull such that said hull may be rapidly converted from said normal V-shape to a flat-bottomed planing configuration.
 2. The hull of claim 1 wherein the hinged mounting for said planes includes a plurality of first knuckles spaced along one edge of said planes, a plurality of second knuckles cooperatingly spaced along said hull and a hinge pin extending through said knuckles and fixedly connected to said planes.
 3. The hull of claim 2 wherein said hinge pins are interconnected to said means within said hull for pivoting said planes between said first and second positions.
 4. A double ended displacement hull for a waterborne vessel including: a hull lifting plane hinged on the lower aft portion of each side of said hull; water deflecting surfaces integral with said hull and including a planar rear portion extending laterally outward therefrom immediately forward of each of said hinged planes to deflect water from the forward edge of said hinged planes; means within said hull interconnected with said hull lifting planes to pivot said hinged planes between a first position generally parallel said hull and a second hull lifting position generally transverse said hull.
 5. The double ended displacement hull of claim 4 wherein said water deflecting surfaces act to flatten the bottom portion of said hull amidships to improve the planing characteristics thereof.
 6. The double ended displacement hull of claim 4 including hinge pin means welded to each of said planes and interconnected with said means within said hull to pivot each of said planes.
 7. The hull of a waterborne vessel having a narrow bow portion, a narrow stern portion, and a retractable plane mounted on the lower aft portion of each side of the hull rearward of a water deflecting surface, said retractable planes including: a plurality of first knuckles spaced along one edge of said planes and mateable with a plurality of second knuckles spaced along said hull to define a pair of hinges, hinge pins interconnected with said first knuckles and interlocking said first and second knuckles, one end of each of said hinge pins extending through said hull and rotation means within said hull to partially rotate said hinge pins to pivot said planes.
 8. The hull of claim 7 including recesses on said hull adjacent said planes to receive said planes upon retraction.
 9. The hull of claim 7 wherein said water deflecting surfaces extend laterally outward beyond the edges of said retractable planes when said planes are pivoted to extend laterally from the lower aft portions of said hull. 